| The Music They Played on 7th Street Project |
| The Music They Played on 7th Street Oakland Walk of Fame |
The Walk of Fame on 7th Street in
Oakland will memorialize the contributions
and art of club owners, producers & the
blues legends who made Seventh Street
in West Oakland the West Coast mecca
for blues in the 1940's, 50's and 60's.
Although Seventh Street's glory days are
gone, now a collection of community
members, property owners and the City
of Oakland hope create a renaissance for
the area.
Oakland will memorialize the contributions
and art of club owners, producers & the
blues legends who made Seventh Street
in West Oakland the West Coast mecca
for blues in the 1940's, 50's and 60's.
Although Seventh Street's glory days are
gone, now a collection of community
members, property owners and the City
of Oakland hope create a renaissance for
the area.
Focusing on the music of West Oakland's 7th
Street from the 1940's through the 1970's, this CD
is one part of a larger project to recognize and
document the music that was created and played
in the clubs on 7th Street. During it's heyday 7th
Street in Oakland was a down home community
known for it's clubs and a steady stream of
musicians playing a style of Delta Blues. During
the early part of their careers artists such as
Jimmie Witherspoon, Big Joe Turner, Big Mama
Thornton, L.C. Good Rocking Robinson, Johnny
Hartsman, Lowell Fulson and a host of other big
blues artist of world fame honed their careers in
7th Street clubs. 7th Street is a landmark on the
map of America's contributions to world culture,
and this collection of music recorded by the BABS
Caravan of All Stars pays homage to that legacy.
Street from the 1940's through the 1970's, this CD
is one part of a larger project to recognize and
document the music that was created and played
in the clubs on 7th Street. During it's heyday 7th
Street in Oakland was a down home community
known for it's clubs and a steady stream of
musicians playing a style of Delta Blues. During
the early part of their careers artists such as
Jimmie Witherspoon, Big Joe Turner, Big Mama
Thornton, L.C. Good Rocking Robinson, Johnny
Hartsman, Lowell Fulson and a host of other big
blues artist of world fame honed their careers in
7th Street clubs. 7th Street is a landmark on the
map of America's contributions to world culture,
and this collection of music recorded by the BABS
Caravan of All Stars pays homage to that legacy.
The Music They Played on 7th Street CD
| Bay Area Blues Society Programming Is funded in part by the City of Oakland Cultural Funding Program |
Saunders Samuel King was the first blues artist to score a # 1 hit Oakland in 1942. This number one hit
brought him instant fame and put the City of Oakland on the hit parade for blues and R&B forever.
Oakland and Los Angeles, California are considered the biggest contributors to what is known as West
Coast Blues. Oakland has its own sound and can be described as slow and mournful with simple 1-4-5
blues changes. That was partially true until the influx of Texas musicians who played a very fast and
straight forward shuffle gave Oakland Blues a much livelier beat.
Oakland’s 7th Street was the entertainment center for the African American community and social center
on any night of the week. The world famous Slim Jenkins Supper Club which included a restaurant, bar
and show room was known as Oakland’s high class blues & jazz club. 7th Street had something everyone
from high class Slim Jenkins to hole in the wall clubs. These clubs were lined up and down the street and
were packed every Friday & Saturday night.
Many other businesses made their home on 7th Street including Wolf Records which made it’s first home
on 7th Street. Paul Reed and his family opened Reed Record Shop where music lovers could pick up the
latest blues, jazz or gospel hits. Bob Geddins, the Godfather of Oakland Blues was the owner of Big Town
Records, a recording studio located on the corner of 7th & Center Streets. During the war era, Big Town
Records had moderate success recording local gospel artists. In 1946, after meeting singer and guitarist
Lowell Folsom, Bob Geddins’ Big Town Records made the switch to blues and Oakland made its mark on
the musical map forever.
Bob Geddins was the first African-American in the bay area to own a record plant and recording studio. He
was the first African-American to have numerous record labels. He set up his own distribution network by
loading them in the trunk of his car and taking his records all over the United States from Los Angeles to
Texas or any other city where hot blues was played.
Oakland’s West Coast musical history foundation began on 7th Street. The music played and recorded on
7th Street produced some of today’s most popular artists including B.B. King, Little Milton, Lowell Folsom,
James Brown, Jimmy McCracklin, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones, Prince, M.C.
Hammer and even country star Allen Jackson. Allen Jackson recorded a song written by K.C. Douglas and
Bob Geddins called Mercury Blues that went platinum for Jackson.
There are so many music stories like this that you begin to understand why 7th Street in West Oakland is
called the Home of Oakland Blues! These are some of the reasons why our project, The Music They Played
on 7th Street must be completed.
brought him instant fame and put the City of Oakland on the hit parade for blues and R&B forever.
Oakland and Los Angeles, California are considered the biggest contributors to what is known as West
Coast Blues. Oakland has its own sound and can be described as slow and mournful with simple 1-4-5
blues changes. That was partially true until the influx of Texas musicians who played a very fast and
straight forward shuffle gave Oakland Blues a much livelier beat.
Oakland’s 7th Street was the entertainment center for the African American community and social center
on any night of the week. The world famous Slim Jenkins Supper Club which included a restaurant, bar
and show room was known as Oakland’s high class blues & jazz club. 7th Street had something everyone
from high class Slim Jenkins to hole in the wall clubs. These clubs were lined up and down the street and
were packed every Friday & Saturday night.
Many other businesses made their home on 7th Street including Wolf Records which made it’s first home
on 7th Street. Paul Reed and his family opened Reed Record Shop where music lovers could pick up the
latest blues, jazz or gospel hits. Bob Geddins, the Godfather of Oakland Blues was the owner of Big Town
Records, a recording studio located on the corner of 7th & Center Streets. During the war era, Big Town
Records had moderate success recording local gospel artists. In 1946, after meeting singer and guitarist
Lowell Folsom, Bob Geddins’ Big Town Records made the switch to blues and Oakland made its mark on
the musical map forever.
Bob Geddins was the first African-American in the bay area to own a record plant and recording studio. He
was the first African-American to have numerous record labels. He set up his own distribution network by
loading them in the trunk of his car and taking his records all over the United States from Los Angeles to
Texas or any other city where hot blues was played.
Oakland’s West Coast musical history foundation began on 7th Street. The music played and recorded on
7th Street produced some of today’s most popular artists including B.B. King, Little Milton, Lowell Folsom,
James Brown, Jimmy McCracklin, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones, Prince, M.C.
Hammer and even country star Allen Jackson. Allen Jackson recorded a song written by K.C. Douglas and
Bob Geddins called Mercury Blues that went platinum for Jackson.
There are so many music stories like this that you begin to understand why 7th Street in West Oakland is
called the Home of Oakland Blues! These are some of the reasons why our project, The Music They Played
on 7th Street must be completed.
